An oval cabochon of 22.9 carat — 25.16 ratti — at Rs. 16,000, about Rs. 699 per carat.

Why ovals, and why so consistently

Every stone in this collection is an oval, and that is not laziness on the cutter's part. The oval is the shape that wastes least material when working from waterworn agate nodules, which arrive rounded rather than blocky. It is also the shape that presents the largest unbroken face for a given weight — and with a patterned stone, face area is the product. A square or a round of the same carat weight would show you less picture.

There is a wearing argument too. An oval set lengthways along the finger covers more of the hand than a round of equal weight while sitting lower, with no corners to catch on fabric. It is the default ring shape across the subcontinent for reasons that are mostly practical.

Cabochon, not faceted

Facets work by bouncing light back out of a transparent stone. Point them at a translucent body full of opaque inclusions and they produce glitter that competes with the pattern instead of showing it. A smooth dome does the opposite: it acts as a lens over the dendrites, magnifying them slightly and letting light travel through the brown chalcedony behind. Any dendritic agate you see faceted has been cut by someone working against the material.

This stone

Translucent warm brown with cream-white dendrites branching through the upper half of the dome. At twenty-three carats it is a practical ring size — enough face to read the pattern, low enough to wear without thinking about it.

Rate and care

This stone is about Rs. 699 per carat; the collection as a whole runs between Rs. 698 and Rs. 701. Chalcedony at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Warm water, mild soap, soft cloth; no ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no sudden heat.

Treatment has not been tested on this piece, which we record rather than calling it untreated. No documented origin is held. Dimensions and clarity are not recorded yet — ask and we will measure.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural moss agate, known in Urdu as Shajri Aqeeq, with a weight of 22.9 Carat. Its price is Rs. 16,000 — roughly Rs. 699 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-00036 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

Above twelve carats you are into collector territory. Pieces this heavy are usually set as pendants or kept loose, and they are prized for the size of rough they came from. If you do set it, choose a bezel or a heavy claw to protect the edges.

On the Mohs scale moss agate rates 6.5 to 7. That is middle-of-the-road hardness: comfortable in pendants and earrings, and in rings worn with some care. Store it apart from harder stones so it does not pick up scratches, and wipe it with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing.

Whoever you buy moss agate from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every moss agate for those three points before it is listed, a certificate is available on request, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Treatment not tested. Certificate available on request. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Moss agate (shajri aqeeq) is usually untreated. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.